Waiting in the Wings Category: Books » Harry Potter Censor: PG Genre: Romance Chapters: 6 Reviews: 57 Author: Snow*flake Font Size: Bigger (+) - Smaller (-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Next Chapter ( 2 ) » ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Waiting in the Wings “I’m soooo nervous!” “Nervous about what?” “Graduation, of course!” “Oh shut up Hermione, you know you’ll have passed with flying colours. You always do. Let’s do something fun today.” Said Ron, aggravated. “Yeah, how about we go on the Hogsmeade visit? That’ll be fun!” said Harry, with his arms round Ginny. “I don’t know….” Hermione muttered. “Just come on, Herm! Please. It’ll be the last day I’ll get to spend with you guys before you leave!” said Ginny. “You won’t want me there, you only want to be with Harry!” laughed Hermione. “No! We want you and Ron to come too.” “Oh, OK then….” So Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione set off for Hogsmeade, but only two of the group were properly happy. Harry and Ginny walked along, holding hands and laughing together. Ron and Hermione, on the other hand, were not holding hands, and weren’t even laughing together. It was widely known that Ron and Hermione fancied each other like mad, but neither of them was brave enough to ask the other out. Harry and Ginny tried to help them get together, but nothing worked. And there was only one day left till graduation, and they might never have another chance to get together. The Three Broomsticks was crowded with pupils, some anticipating the end of the year, some the end of their days at Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione found a table, and Harry and Ron went to buy drinks. “Ron, just goddamn ask her out!” hissed Harry, as they approached the bar. “I can’t…” “Oh don’t be a baby, just ask her. You might not get a chance after graduation!” “I’ll see her around. If I want to ask her, I will. I can’t ask her while I’m still at Hogwarts.” “Why not?” “Look Harry, just leave it OK?” Harry shrugged and ordered the drinks. Over at the table, Ginny was talking to Hermione. “Oh come on Hermione! ASK HIM OUT!! How much effort can it take?” “Too much.” “Honestly. You fancy him like hell, yet you still won’t ask him out. You know this is the only chance you’ll get, especially if you’re leaving us for a while to be a-“ “Shut up! I don’t want them to know yet!” hissed Hermione. “You’ve got to tell them sometime! They’re your friends; they’d want you to tell them. How d’you think they’re going to feel when they find out you’ve gone?” ”Gone where?” interrupted a voice from behind them. “Yeah, where’re you going Hermione?” Ron and Harry were standing behind, looking curious. “Umm….” Said Ginny, looking at Hermione. “Errrrrrr…. Nowhere!” The two boys raised their eyebrows. “D’you get the feeling they’re hiding something from us?” said Ron. //~*~\\ Time flew far too fast for the seventh years. Many of them were apprehensive about leaving Hogwarts, and becoming full-time wizards. Hogwarts had been their home for the last seven years of their lives, and they weren’t too happy about leaving. But they had no choice. Certificates were handed out; prizes were given. Then it was time for goodbyes. Final goodbyes. “Bye Professor!” “Good luck!” “I’ll see you at work!” Amidst all the excitement and nerves, a small group of people stood. “So, I guess this is it. Goodbye.” Said Ron. “I can’t believe we have to leave! I’ve had so many good times here, so many good friends.” Whispered Hermione. “Yeah. Memories. I’ll never forget Hogwarts. Ever.” Said Harry, looking round. Ginny burst into tears. “I’m going to miss you all so much! It’ll be weird here without you.” “Cheer up Ginny! I’m spending the summer at The Burrow, while I look for a house. You’ll see loads of me then!” consoled Harry. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with us Hermione?” asked Ron. “We’ve got plenty of room now Fred and George have moved out.” Hermione shook her head, tears springing to her eyes. “I’ve got things to do… Oh Ron!” She flung her arms round him, and whispered in his ear, “I’ll never forget you. “ “Hermione! We’ll see loads of each other. I mean… Hermione?” She had gone, and was running down the lawns towards a carriage. Ron had lost his final chance. “Ron, Harry, don’t go looking for her. She’s not coming back.” “WHAT?” yelled Ron. “She wants to have a break. Now she’s got her qualifications, she can do whatever she wants. But she’s going to be an actress in a muggle theatre. And she doesn’t know when she’s going to come back.” “Don’t be dumb Ginny! She’d never do that. She’s a witch, and a very clever one! She’d never waste herself like that!” “She’s going to be an actress. And there’s nothing you can do to stop her.” //~*~\\ Ron and Harry searched all over on the train and at Platform Nine and Three Quarters, but they couldn’t find Hermione anywhere. She had just disappeared. “We’re going after her.” Said Ron, stubbornly. “How? We can’t search every single theatre in the whole of England for her! It’s impossible!” “I loved that girl. I’m not going to lose her now.” Harry sighed. Ron was sounding like something off the tacky TV romances Aunt Petunia used to watch. But this wasn’t TV, this was real life. And in real life, things didn’t always end happily ever after. He hugged Ginny, and together they made their way through the barrier, where Mr and Mrs Weasley were waiting. That was the last time he would do that. His Hogwarts days were over. //~*~\\ Ron lay on his bed and looked at the orange ceiling. He didn’t know how he was going to find Hermione, but he was. Harry had seemed unsure at the station, but Ron knew that he would come as well. Harry would never let Ron go out into the muggle world on his own. “I’ve got two weeks before I start at the Ministry,” he said to himself, “and in those two weeks, I’m going to find her.” //~*~\\ Backstage at a theatre in a rough area of London, Hugh Rhodes, a successful muggle playwright, was talking to a director. “So, what’s her name again?” he growled. “Helen Granger.” “Hmm. Well, she certainly seems right for the part. Have you seen her acting?” “Oh yes! She seems talented, although she hasn’t been to stage school.” “That doesn’t matter. I didn’t write this part for some snobby brat.” “So, shall I give her a ring and tell her she’s got the part?” “Yes. And tell her to be down here tomorrow for our first rehearsal call!” "Tomorrow! Isn’t that a bit soon? She only finished school today!” “If she wants to be an actress in this company, then she’ll have to make sacrifices.” Said Hugh. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye!” The director sighed as he watched Hugh’s retreating back. He wasn’t sure about this Granger girl; she seemed too young and inexperienced. And there was something strange about her, something unusual. //~*~\\ A/N Hiya guys! What did ya think of that? I know that there hasn’t been that much romance yet, but trust me, there will be. Review me, tell me what you think, and email me on chatterbox@crazygirl.co.uk -I love to chat! Luv ya all! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Next Chapter ( 2 ) » ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Review Story ( be a responsible reader and write a review) Title: Waiting in the Wings Name: Email: (optional) Review: If you feel that this entry violates any of the guidelines set by FanFiction.Net please click here to notify the staff. Waiting in the Wings Category: Books » Harry Potter Censor: PG Genre: Romance Chapters: 6 Reviews: 57 Author: Snow*flake Font Size: Bigger (+) - Smaller (-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ « Previous Chapter ( 1 ) Next Chapter ( 3 ) » ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Waiting in the Wings Part 2: Someday *Everything in this story is JK Rowling’s, apart from Penny and the gang at the Palace Theatre etc. All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to a person, living or dead, is coincidental. Thanks!* “RON! Listen to me! How exactly are you planning to search every single theatre in England for Hermione in two weeks?” said Harry, becoming frustrated. “I don’t know! But I’m going to. And you and Ginny are going to help me.” “We are?” said Ginny, peering into Ron’s room. “Please guys. We’ve got to get Hermione back.” Said Ron, in quiet desperation. “Oh, OK then!” “Thank you! Right, we’ll start with London. We’ll stay at the Leaky Cauldron, and we’ll go out into the muggle world and search the theatres!” “Ron, not meaning to spoil your perfect plans or anything, but how’re we going to pay for the tickets? They’ll cost a fortune!” said Harry. “Harry, we’re wizards! We can use your invisibility cloak and get in free!” “No we can’t Ron! Use your brains! How’re we going to get into a muggle theatre, and find seats, with an invisibility cloak on?” laughed Ginny. “We’ll have to pay. We’re both starting work soon, so we should be able to pay, with help from some of my money.” Said Harry. “OK, OK! We’ll pay! Harry can be our guide in the Muggle world, now go get your stuff packed!” Harry and Ginny raised their eyebrows, but did as he said. Ten minutes later, they were all packed and ready to go. Mrs Weasley kissed each of them goodbye, “Dears do be careful! It’s dangerous out there in the muggle world!” “Mum!” said Ron, struggling free from her grasp, “It’s OK! Harry and I are fully qualified wizards now! We can look after ourselves.” “Yes, yes, I know, but look after Ginny!” “We will Mrs Weasley, don’t worry!” said Harry, with his arm round Ginny. “Yes, well have a nice time, and good luck!” So, the three young wizards sprinkled Floo powder into the fire, yelled ‘Diagon Alley’, and set off. Behind them, Mrs Weasley wiped her eyes anxiously. “Oh I do hope they’ll be alright!” //~*~\\ “Helen!” Hermione, or Helen, swung round from the Stage door of the Palace Theatre, London. “Hi! I’m Penny. I’m starring with you in the show!” Running towards Hermione was a tall, blonde haired girl, hardly older than she was. “Hello.” She said, warily shaking Penny’s hand. “Pleased to meet you.” “Yeah! Isn’t this so exciting! Have you ever been in a show before? I have, but this is my first one away from my stage school! Which one did you go to?” “What?” “Which theatre school?” “Oh! I… umm… well, I didn’t go to one.” “Didn’t you? Wow! You’re really lucky to get the part then! I had to go to so many auditions before I got in! Did you-“ Penny stopped talking as they made their way into the small entrance room, where an old man was sitting at a desk. “You’ll be the young stars then?” he grinned. They nodded, and he showed them through a maze of passages, all cluttered with props and scenery, until they came out on the stage. Several carpenters were hammering scenery, and at the front was a large man, surrounded by a group of people. He stopped talking as they walked towards him. “Aah! Penny, Helen! It’s great to see you! I’m Mr Rhodes, call me Hugh! And this-“ he said gesturing to the group of people around him, “-is our cast! Welcome to the company, girls! Now, on to rehearsals! I gave you your script when you got the parts, so I hope you’ve started to learn your lines?” Everyone nodded, including Hermione. She had started on her lines- in fact, she knew them all! Being the workaholic that she always had been, she’d stayed up all night studying them. “Anyway, as you know, we open next Tuesday, so we need to get a good way through the script today. Right, we’ll start with Scene 1. Penny and Helen, it’s you first.” //~*~\\ “Right. So, we’ve got the theatre directory for the London district. Now what do we do?” asked Ron. “We see if Hermione’s in any of their plays, and if she is, we go there!” said Harry. “Hold on,” said Ginny, “Actors have stage names. Hermione will’ve changed her name, so we won’t recognize her in the directory.” “Oh great. Just great. So what do we do now?” said Harry, sounding despairing. “Umm… we look for name’s that sound like Hermione, or Granger!” “Oh so simple.” Said Harry, sarcastically. “It’s worth a try!” Ginny sounded faintly hopeful. “OK, OK, let’s get going! Hannah! Is that like Hermione?” wondered Ron. Harry sighed. It was going to be a long day. //~*~\\ “Helen, are you any good at singing?” Hermione stopped in her tracks. Had she heard correctly? Singing? “Erm… I don’t really know. We never really did any singing at my school.” “Right, let’s hear you then. Your character, Lizzy, has to sing a solo in Act five, scene 2. Now this isn’t a musical, but this song is a really moving and important part of the play. Lizzy’s just lost a friend and a lover, so she’s really sad. Now, you’re doing really well so far with your acting, so let’s hear you sing.” “Good luck Helen!” grinned Penny, quietly. Hermione took a deep breath, and sang. “Someday, I’ll find someone that treats me like he did. Someday, I’ll find someone who cares. Someday, I’ll know that there’s another who’ll love me, Someday, I’ll fall in love again. You may move on but you’ll never forget, That person who you loved. Love leaves it’s mark on a broken heart, And that mark won’t ever come off. Someday I’ll find someone who treats me like he did, Someday, I’ll find someone who cares. Someday I’ll know that there’s another who’ll love me, Someday I’ll fall in love again. You may find someone you love a lot, But it just won’t be the same, Cos there’s no one else like him on earth, No one, anywhere….” Hermione stopped, because she sensed a strange quiet around the theatre. The carpenters had stopped hammering, and were staring at her, open-mouthed. Mr Rhodes, Penny, and the rest of the cast were just watching her, looking awestruck. //~*~\\ Ginny, Ron and Harry sat round a table in the Leaky Cauldron, looking at a list of names. “Hannah Foster, Frances Granger, Hilda Wren, Heather Granger, Harriet Redman, and the last one, Helen Granger. What do you think?” said Ron. “Oh hell, how many actresses have the surname Granger? This is going to be hard!” laughed Harry. “But we’ll do it. I know we will. We’ll start with Hannah Foster.” “Umm, Ron? Can we leave out Hilda Wren? That cannot be Hermione.” Said Ginny, suppressing a giggle. “Oh, OK, OK! I guess she’d never call herself that!” “No, I think not. What’re we going to do if none of these are her?” asked Harry. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” //~*~\\ “Wow Helen! You’ve got a fantastic voice! How do you sing like that?” said Penny, breaking the silence. “I have no idea!” said Hermione, amazed at what she had just done. She’d never realised she could sing. But she’d sung that song for Ron, wherever he was. She was missing him already, and that song had made her think of him. ~*~ Aww, sweet! Did ya enjoy? I enjoyed writing it! And yes, the song was my own. It took a while to write, but I don’t think it’s that good. What do you think? I know, this one wasn’t very eventful, but I needed one to kinda fill in some gaps- you’ll understand later. Can you believe that Herm can sing? Wow! Thanks for the reviews everybody! They were really appreciated! Please please please review this one too! There’s much more to come, but hope you liked! Luv Snow*flake ------------------------------------------------------------------------ « Previous Chapter ( 1 ) Next Chapter ( 3 ) » ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Review Story ( be a responsible reader and write a review) Title: Waiting in the Wings Name: Email: (optional) Review: If you feel that this entry violates any of the guidelines set by FanFiction.Net please click here to notify the staff. Waiting in the Wings Category: Books » Harry Potter Censor: PG Genre: Romance Chapters: 6 Reviews: 57 Author: Snow*flake Font Size: Bigger (+) - Smaller (-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ « Previous Chapter ( 2 ) Next Chapter ( 4 ) » ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Waiting in the Wings Missed chances, and shopping *Everything belongs to J K Rowling except Penny and the gang at the Palace Theatre. All these characters are fictitious and any resemblance to a person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Thanks!* “So that’s Hannah Foster ruled out then!” “Yeah. She definitely wasn’t Hermione.” “They looked nothing like each other!” Harry, Ginny, and Hermione laughed as they walked out of a theatre in the West End of London. “Anyway, that girl could sing. Hermione can’t.” Ginny frowned. “How do you know? Have you ever heard her sing?” Ron looked at her. “No, but… oh come on Ginny, she’s not the singing type.” How wrong he was. //~*~\\ There was a knock on Hermione’s dressing room door. “Come in!! she called. “Only me,” smiled Penny, as she slipped round the door. “How’re you doing?” “Not too bad. I’m just so nervous! I can’t believe we open in two nights!” “I know. It’s pretty scary.” “Well it’s alright for you, you’ve been in a show before!” “I suppose so. But it wasn’t like this. All the girls had to get ready in one big dressing room. There was hardly room to move! At least here we have a dressing room to ourselves, and there’s space to put our stuff.” “Yeah. I’m glad we have a room to ourselves. Have you seen your costume yet?” “Unfortunately, yes. It’s awful!” “I know! It’s like… ummm” “A tea towel?” suggested Penny. “Well, that’s one way to describe it!” “Look, we’ve got this afternoon off, why don’t we go shopping? It’ll take your mind off things.” “That’d be great!” grinned Hermione. “Cool! I’ll meet you at the stage door after rehearsal. We’re having the last run-through before the dress rehearsal.” “As if I needed reminding!” laughed Hermione. “We’ll be fine, don’t worry.” As Penny left, Hermione bit her lip. Shopping in the muggle world! On her own! It’d been alright at the wizard shops, but this was different. If only Ron and Harry were here, she thought. //~*~\\ Ginny settled into her seat. Next to her, Ron was tasting Maltesers for the first time. They were at the theatre for the second time in two nights, and now they were trying to find out if a certain ‘Frances Granger’ was Hermione. “Mmm!” said Ron, discovering the wonderful taste of Maltesers. “These are pretty good. Yeah, so they’re not Chocolate Frogs, but they’re really tasty!” Harry leaned over Ginny. “Give me some, Ron!” “No!” laughed Ron, hugging the packet. “They’re mine!” “Shhhhhhh!” came a voice from behind, as the lights dimmed, and the curtains opened, revealing a brightly lit stage. A woman of about 30 was standing there, talking to an old man. “Is that this Frances person?” whispered Harry. “Ron squinted at the programme. “Hold on…. Yeah, it looks like it. That guy’s calling her ‘Kate’, and in the programme it says that she’s played by Frances Granger.” “Well, she’s certainly not Hermione! Too old!” Ron sighed. Where was Hermione? Why didn’t she seem to be anywhere? What if she wasn’t in London at all? Thousands of fears swept into his head, each of them showing him how thoughtless he’d been. Hermione would have more sense than to choose a stage name that sounded like her old one, wouldn’t she? It would make her relatively easy to find is she didn’t do a very convincing name change. Unless she wanted to be found… //~*~\\ “Bye Helen!” “See you, tomorrow Penny!” Hermione waved goodbye to Penny, and walked into the hotel she was staying in. It was quiet, because all the guests were either in their rooms or out. Her and Penny had stayed out quite late shopping, and it was nearly 10 o’ clock. It hadn’t gone too badly… she’d managed to cover up her ignorance of muggle fashion pretty well. Magical shops were so much more interesting! But, she had to admit it, shopping with Penny was certainly a change from shopping with Ron and Harry. Penny saw things from a girl’s point of view, whereas Ron and Harry, being boys, couldn’t. It was good to have a girl to talk to for once. She made her way up to her room, and flung her bags on to a chair. Outside, it was dark, and there was hardly anyone around. The odd figure strode past, their figures illuminated for a second as they walked under the floodlights of the hotel. On the road, however, there was still heavy traffic. It was the time of night that theatregoers were driving home, and the vehicles crawled slowly by. Talking of theatres, a show had obviously just finished nearby, because a large crowd of people were coming down the street. There were lots of theatres near to the hotel, because it was in the west end of London, which is famous for its fantastic theatrical performances. Every night, hordes of people travelled along the streets, anticipating the start of a show. “In two days time,” thought Hermione, “Those people will be coming to see our show, and I won’t be sitting here watching them, they’ll be watching me.” It was a frightening but satisfying thought. She smiled, and collapsed onto the bed. She was shattered, and all tomorrow she had to be at the Palace Theatre, rehearsing. It was hard work being an actress, but she loved it. If only there was a theatre company in the magical world. Then she could be where she belonged; acting in the magical world. It made so much sense, yet no one seemed to have had the idea. She sighed. Where was Ron now? Was he missing her? Or didn’t he care? She wanted him to be here, and to see her act. But it was impossible. Outside, the group of people she had seen before were passing the hotel doors. She heard their voices and their laughter, mingled with the noise of traffic. She wanted someone to talk to. Penny was a really great person and all that, but she just couldn’t fill the place in her heart that Harry and Ron had occupied. The group passed, and the roar of traffic was the only thing to be heard. But suddenly, some more voices approached, and she knew them. But no- Harry, Ron and Ginny couldn’t be in London, could they? Those voices, they were so similar… she leapt up, and almost ran to the window. Just passing, were those three familiar heads- two red ones, and one black. It was them! Harry and Ginny were holding hands, as they walked, but Ron looked lonely. She reached for the window, and opened it. She was going to call to him, but something stopped her. She just couldn’t do it. There was something stopping her. And then they had passed by, and she had lost her chance. //~*~\\ A/N Aaaah! Cliffhanger! I’m sorry- I didn’t mean to, it was that sugar. It does strange things to my brain! Anyway, did ya enjoy? It was a bit…umm…slow moving, but there we go. Deal with it. Review me please! PLEASE!!! If ya want to criticise, make it constructive. But please review my dear readers! Or email me, whatever. Enjoy your lives. Sorry- did I say that? That was really nasty! ::slaps hands and face:: Sorry about that people- my inner child is taking over. Gotta go Snow*flake ------------------------------------------------------------------------ « Previous Chapter ( 2 ) Next Chapter ( 4 ) » ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Review Story ( be a responsible reader and write a review) Title: Waiting in the Wings Name: Email: (optional) Review: If you feel that this entry violates any of the guidelines set by FanFiction.Net please click here to notify the staff. Waiting in the Wings Category: Books » Harry Potter Censor: PG Genre: Romance Chapters: 6 Reviews: 57 Author: Snow*flake Font Size: Bigger (+) - Smaller (-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ « Previous Chapter ( 3 ) Next Chapter ( 5 ) » ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Waiting in the Wings Part 4- Orchestra and beginners Hermione lay flat out on her bed. Stupid girl, she thought to herself. You miss him so much yet you can’t even face seeing him again. What is wrong with you? There had been some kind of barrier stopping her from calling out to him. She would have been so much happier is she’d done that. But would she? Being with Ron would give her no other option but to go back to the magical world. That would mean leaving the theatre. Maybe it was better that she had stayed away from him. But yet there was something inside her, a longing to be with old friends, to talk to people who were like her. It was hard. She wanted to be part of the theatre and the magical world, but they didn’t go together. Anyway, there was no use moping about it. She had to carry on with her life. Tomorrow was the dress rehearsal, so she needed to sleep. //~*~\\ “Get lost.” “Oh come on Ron! What are you going to do if we can’t find Hermione? You can’t just sit like this. You’ve got to live!” “Just leave it, OK? How many times do I have to tell you? I’m going to look for her, and I will find her, because she has to be out there somewhere.” “Ron, please-“ “No! I’m not giving up.” Ginny looked upset. “Fine. If you won’t accept help, then be like that. Maybe you should carry on looking on your own.” Ron froze. She had hit a nerve. “Ginny! Hermione’s your friend, not just mine. We’ve got to help her!” “Oh shut up. She’s a big girl now, she can look after herself. If she wants to come back, she will. But it doesn’t seem like she does, does it?” Ginny stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Stubborn. That was Ron all over. He knew he was fighting a useless cause, yet he still carried on. He didn’t know when enough was enough. As she marched along the corridor of the Leaky Cauldron, not watching where she was going, she bumped into someone. “Harry!” “Sorry Ginny!” he grinned, “What’s the hurry?” “Oh nothing. Just Ron. He’s being a stubborn brat again.” “Why? What have you been saying to him?” “I just told him that we ought to give up. I’m sick of going to the theatre.” “Ginny, he loves Hermione.” “Yeah, he does now, but for how long? They might hate each other by next year!” “I doubt it. Just leave him alone.” “No! I want to go home!” “Well go then. You don’t need me and Ron to come with you!” “No, but I don’t want to leave you here on a wild-goose chase. That’s all.” “Sure it is Ginny. Sure it is.” //~*~\\ Mr Rhodes clapped his hands to gain the actors’ attention. “Well done all of you! That was fantastic. Perform like that tomorrow, and we’ll get a great response from the audience! Helen, that singing was amazing! Now, are we all certain we know what to do?” The cast nodded. “Good. I’ll see you tomorrow then. Have a good nights’ sleep, and don’t worry!” Hermione sighed. She was exhausted; it had been a long day. Before the dress, they’d had individual run-throughs with the director, advice on voice projection and how to cope with the lights, and only a short lunch break. It had been hard work. She glanced at her watch. It was eight o’ clock already. She hurried to her dressing room, and got to work on removing her stage make-up. “Helen?” said a voice, from behind the door. “Hi! Come in.” It was Jackie, a member of the cast. “Just came to say good luck for tomorrow. Not that you need it. You’re doing very well, considering it’s your first show.” “Thanks.” “That’s OK. Ta-ta, love. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Hermione rubbed the last bit of foundation off, and put her things away. She was in a good mood. She waved at the other actors and actresses as she made her way to the stage door, singing to herself. For the minute, Ron was forgotten. //~*~\\ Harry and Ron were sat in a posh theatre, both of them strangely subdued. Ginny had decided not to come, as she was still angry at Ron. Although they watched the stage with expectation, deep down inside, both of them had lost hope. They didn’t expect Harriet Redman, or whoever she was, to actually be Hermione. Hermione didn’t seem to be anywhere. Mind you, they still had two names down on their list. Helen Granger, and Heather Granger. Tomorrow, they were going to ‘The Palace Theatre’ to see Helen Granger. Neither of them really thought that she would be Hermione, but after all, it was worth a try. They didn’t know what they would do if it was Hermione either. What should they do- yell at her? Run to the stage door at the end? The latter seemed a better idea. But that was another day, and now they had today’s performance to think about. //~*~\\ Hermione slept without dreams that night. She looked peaceful as she slept, bathed in moonlight from a gap in the curtains. Passing cars casted shadows on the walls, forming strange, mysterious shapes. The following morning was overcast and grey, like many English days are. Shoppers hurried to get their shopping done before an inevitable rain shower arrived. Hermione spent much of the morning on the phone to Penny, and the rest running through her lines. She tried to put her nerves to the back of her mind, but the well known ‘butterflies in the stomach’ soon got the better of her. She left for the theatre much earlier than she needed to, just for something to do. She had to keep her mind off things, and concentrate on giving the audience a night to remember. She met Penny at the stage door. “How’re you feeling?” “Erm, nervous!” “Me too. You know what, Helen? We really need to stop worrying.” “I guess. It’s just hard not to.” “Yeah. Well, we’re lucky. We don’t have a matinee today, we’ve only got the evening performance.” “Mmm. Let’s go get ready and run over our lines.” Penny grinned. “Again. Oh, and you need to do your ‘vocal exercises’ before we start.” The two girls walked into the theatre, laughing. “OK, foundation, eye shadow, lip gloss, blusher- do I look OK? Hair gel, yep, all done. Costume. Oh my God, I’m so nervous. What if I go wrong? What if-“ An announcement interrupted Hermione’s mutterings. “Ladies and gentlemen of the orchestra, and beginners please. Orchestra and beginners.” “Ooh,” whispered Hermione, “That’s me!” //~*~\\ Ron elbowed Ginny. “Shut up! It’s about to start.” “Big deal. It’s not like this is actually going to be Hermione anyway. I only came because I liked the sound of the play.” “Shut up you two!” muttered Harry. The lights dimmed, there was a burst of music from the pit where the orchestra sat, and the curtains opened. //~*~\\ Nooooo! It’s another cliffhanger! I’m sorry… Anyway, what did ya think of this one? It’s all kinda exciting now! Thanks for all the nice reviews, you’re all stars! Please, please, please review this one too! Bye Snow*flake ------------------------------------------------------------------------ « Previous Chapter ( 3 ) Next Chapter ( 5 ) » ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Review Story ( be a responsible reader and write a review) Title: Waiting in the Wings Name: Email: (optional) Review: If you feel that this entry violates any of the guidelines set by FanFiction.Net please click here to notify the staff. Waiting in the Wings Category: Books » Harry Potter Censor: PG Genre: Romance Chapters: 6 Reviews: 57 Author: Snow*flake Font Size: Bigger (+) - Smaller (-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ « Previous Chapter ( 4 ) Next Chapter ( 6 ) » ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Waiting in the Wings Long Lost Loves Hermione stood on the stage with Penny. They began the play that they had painstakingly rehearsed over the past few days. The lights were on them, and there was a huge audience watching. It was crucial that they performed perfectly, and that they remembered their lines; although the stage managers were sitting in the wings giving them the first few words of every line, just in case they did forget. Hermione’s nerves soon left her as she became her character. She forgot that she was Hermione Granger, and that she was a witch. Those things didn’t matter. The play was the important thing. //~*~\\ Ginny gaped at the stage for a moment, before coming back to reality. She nudged Harry. “Harry…. oh Harry! It’s Hermione!” Harry grinned, and turned to look at Ron, who was just staring at Hermione, a strange sort of smile on his face. It was unbelievable. They had almost given up all hope of finding her, and then she turned up. Her acting wasn’t bad, either. In fact, it was brilliant. //~*~\\ Hermione’s song was just before the interval. The audience were watching her; she could see their eyes like little lamps in the darkness. She took a deep breath, just like the vocal instructor had told her to, and began the song. She looked around the theatre as she sang, making it part of the act. Every single person in the theatre was staring at her, spellbound. Suddenly, a face in the audience caught her eye. He seemed strangely luminous compared to the people surrounding him; almost magical. When she looked more carefully, making sure that she didn’t forget the song, she realised who it was. A strange fear cum pride swept over her, leaving her unsure whether to be nervous or happy. She sang the final notes of the song, and exited the stage as she had been told to do. As she entered the wings, she felt another emotion: anger. Why was Ron here? What was he trying to do- spoil her first show? Had he known that she was here all along? The stupid…. “Helen! Are you OK? You look a bit ill.” “I feel a bit queasy, “said Hermione. Penny was watching her, looking concerned. “Are you going to be alright? Do you want me to call someone?” “No! I’m fine!” “Phew! Look, we need to get changed for the next half, we’d better get moving.” Hermione escaped Penny, and leaned against the door of her dressing room, breathing deeply. What was Ron going to do? “I can’t go on with him out there!” a little voice whispered in her head. “Tough luck,” said another, “You’re going to have to.” Hermione sighed, and began to get ready for the next scene. //~*~\\ “Ron! Ron, are you listening to me?” “What?” “Finally! I was just asking you what we’re going to do now,” said Ginny. “Wow!” muttered Ron, as if he hadn’t heard her, “Her singing- it was amazing!” “Yeah, I know it was, but that doesn’t exactly answer the question.” “Ginny, will you just get off my back!? I know what we’re going to do!” “OK, but why don’t you tell us then?” said Harry, coming to Ginny’s aid. “Fine. We’ll run to the stage door after the performance, and we’ll wait for her there.” “Sounds fair enough. Let’s just hope it works.” shrugged Harry. Ginny, who was in a bad mood for several different reasons (A/N Well what do you think?!), scowled, but didn’t say anything. She seriously doubted whether Ron would actually have the guts to face Hermione, and she somehow didn’t think that Hermione would just smile and fall into his arms. Not when she had such talent. But whatever, that remained to be seen. //~*~\\ “Good luck Helen! Keep going.” “Thanks.” Hermione fought back all her tangled emotions, and made her face impassive as she walked onto the stage once again. The audience were there, and so was Ron. No, I mustn’t let him distract me, she thought, and carried on with the play. Maybe she would have to face him at the end, maybe she wouldn’t. But for the time being, she let things be. The audience stood and cheered. The cast took their final bows as the curtain closed, and then hurried off to their dressing rooms, congratulating each other on a flawless performance. Eventually, only Hermione and Penny remained. “That was brilliant Helen!” “You were amazing too!” “Oh God, I’d better go- Jamie’ll be waiting.” “Who’s Jamie?” quizzed Hermione as they left the stage. “Oh, haven’t I told you? He’s my boyfriend- totally gorgeous. If you hurry up, you’ll be able to meet him.” Hermione nodded, and went to get changed. She really didn’t think she could take meeting Penny’s boyfriend. The thought that Ron had been out there in the audience; watching her, had sent strange sensations up her spine. She didn’t want to see Jamie, but she didn’t want to disappoint Penny, so she decided to go. //~*~\\ “Hurry, Ginny!” “I’m going as fast as I bloody well can!” “Look, we’re nearly there! The door’s just there, and there’s Hermione!” Harry and Ginny looked at Ron, wondering how this reunion would turn out… (Cue romantic music) “Oh Hermione- it’s been so long.” “Oh Ron, I’m sorry, I should never have left you.” “Just never leave me again, darling!” “Never” Ron picks up Hermione, and they travel off into the sunset. They shook their heads, each secretly understanding what the other had been thinking. Harry raised his eyebrows, a new vision appearing… “Hermione, why the hell did you leave me?” “Why do you think, idiot, I wanted to be away from you- freak!” “Take that back.” “Make me!” “Get lost, cow! I don’t even know why I ever bothered coming here!” Hermione slaps Ron in the face, leaving him standing in the middle of the road as she walks off. Again, Harry and Ginny shook their heads, grinning. While they had been musing however, Ron was cautiously approaching Hermione, carefully keeping out of sight. Harry and Ginny shrugged, and followed him. “Ron, what exactly are we doing?” “We’re using the element of surprise.” “What?” called Harry. “Oh stuff this!” laughed Ginny, and yelled, “HERMIONE!!” “Ginny! What’re you doing?” hissed Ron. “Reuniting you with your lost love, what else?” giggled Ginny. Ron gaped, and Hermione looked up. She was next to Penny, who was talking to Jamie. Penny tittered. “Sorry honey, I think you’ve got the wrong place. This is..umm.. the stage door.” “Exactly.” said Ron, suddenly coming to life. “We’re looking for Hermione, and we’ve found her.” He looked at Hermione, who blushed beetroot red. “Err, Penny, there’s something I need to tell you. I’m not actually called Helen, I’m Hermione.” “Oh.” “And these are friends who I was at school with,” she said. “OK. I don’t suppose you’ll be wanting me here then.” muttered Penny, grabbing Jamie’s hand, and walking off. “What’s her problem?” asked Ginny, coming forward and putting her hand on Hermione’s shoulder. “It doesn’t matter now seen as I-“ Hermione broke off, looking embarrassedly at Ron. “Hermione, we need to talk,” he said. “I know that.” “Why did you go?” “I don’t know. I just needed a break, I suppose.” “But why did you come here? You could have at least gone somewhere in the magical world.” “I wanted to act. There’s no theatre company for witches and wizards!” “Yeah, not now, but there could be. We could start one up. I know loads of people who’d join you! You don’t need to be a muggle actress. Please, Hermione, come back. It’s where you belong, and you know it. You can’t deny who you are.” “I… I don’t know. I really like it here, and I’ve made some good friends!” “Good friends?” Ginny shook her head in disbelief. “Like that girl? What kind of friend was she? She took off as soon as we came along! She didn’t like the fact that you’ve got other friends!” “No! You’ve got it wrong- she was just tired, that’s all!” “Whatever.” “OK, OK, I get the point! I’ll come back. But I’m finishing the show here first.” “Yes!” grinned Ginny, grabbing Harry’s hand and making him swing round, “We knew you would Hermi!” “I’ve missed you all so much!” She went forward to Ron, and hugged him. “You’re right Ron. I can be an actress in the magical world. I didn’t need to be so stupid.” ”Thank God for that! Oh, and Hermione-“ “What?” “Will you go out with me?” “Sure.” “YES! FINALLY!” interrupted two voices. Hermione and Ron swung round, and saw Harry and Ginny, dancing madly in the middle of the street. “We did it! We actually did it!” //~*~\\ A/N- Wow! So sweet! Are you happy now- there was no cliffhanger! ::gasps from all round:: That has to be a record! So, moving on, what did you think? You *finally got to see their reactions, which was good. There’s going to be one more part, a kind of epilogue thingy, so keep an eye out! Thanks everyone for the reviews, keep them coming! Please! I’m begging you… Enough grovelling, I’m off! Snow*flake Happy Easter! Eat loadsa chocolate- I will! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ « Previous Chapter ( 4 ) Next Chapter ( 6 ) » ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Review Story ( be a responsible reader and write a review) Title: Waiting in the Wings Name: Email: (optional) Review: If you feel that this entry violates any of the guidelines set by FanFiction.Net please click here to notify the staff. Waiting in the Wings Category: Books » Harry Potter Censor: PG Genre: Romance Chapters: 6 Reviews: 57 Author: Snow*flake Font Size: Bigger (+) - Smaller (-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ « Previous Chapter ( 5 ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Waiting in the Wings Dreams Fulfilled Hermione glanced around the theatre. Watching her from all directions were witches and wizards, dressed in their robes. Behind her were the rest of the ‘Magic Moments’ theatre company. She glanced into the wings. Ron, holding his prompt book, winked at her. It was this that gave her the courage to speak. “We’d just like to thank you all for coming to our debut show tonight. It’s really great to see you here. We hope you’ve enjoyed it. We’re just going to give you one last song before you go.” The audience cheered and clapped. They were gathered in a theatre that had been set up in Diagon Alley, and they were having a brilliant time. As the voices of the company soared to the roof, they sat and thought what a good idea it had been: to gather together some talented witches and wizards, and start a theatre company. It had been Hermione Granger’s idea. She had started the company several months ago, and many had been sceptical, but this performance had wiped the doubt out of everybody’s minds. Hermione and her group of actors were amazing. As the final chords ended, the audience broke into shouts of applause. Hermione smiled, and the curtains closed, drawing the performance to a brilliant end. Behind the curtain, the cast hugged each other and laughed out loud. Ron stood in the wings, and Hermione ran over to him. “We did it! We actually did it!” “I never doubted you lot for a moment,” said Ron, a twinkle in his eye. “Come on, let’s go home.” The audience streamed out of the auditorium, and amongst the last to leave where Mr and Mrs Weasley, Harry, and Ginny. “I knew they’d make us proud!” smiled Mrs Weasley, a tear leaking from her eye. “They were brilliant!” said Mr Weasley, “I never realised that Hermione was such a good singer!” “None of us did, till a few years ago.” Harry winked at Ginny. “Yeah,” she grinned back. ”But I’m looking forward to the after-show party! We’ve been invited, Harry!” //~*~\\ It was late at night, but lights and sounds streamed from ‘The Hollow’-Ron and Hermione’s house. Glasses clinked together, and music was playing. A couple were dancing to the music, arms wrapped round each other. Ron looked down at Hermione, thinking how lucky he was to finally be married to her. They had got married earlier that year, and it had been a glittering occasion. Everyone who was anyone in the magical world had been there- even the Minister for Magic. Draco Malfoy had also made an appearance, though both Ron and Hermione swore he hadn’t been invited. So, all was well with the world, and the record changed to ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ by Toploader. It was strange that Muggle music was playing, but no one complained. //~*~\\ Happy endings! Yay, my favourite! A nice fluffy one too, which should satisfy most of you! I am sooooooo sorry this took so long, I was away, and then I was busy, and then…excuses excuses! I’m also sorry this part is short, but I didn’t think I needed to say any more. Hope you’ve enjoyed this series, and thank you so much everyone for reviewing, it means a lot. Please review this one, and until next time- BYE! Snow*flake ------------------------------------------------------------------------ « Previous Chapter ( 5 ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Review Story ( be a responsible reader and write a review) Title: Waiting in the Wings Name: Email: (optional) Review: If you feel that this entry violates any of the guidelines set by FanFiction.Net please click here to notify the staff.